Safety-razor-blade holder



NOV. 4, 1930. J, w, s wo 1,780,549

SAFETY RAZOR BLADE HOLDER Filed May 7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l [NVEN T OR.

O 1930. J. w. ASHWORTH 80,

SAFETY RAZOR BLADE HOLDER Filed May '7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [N VEN TOR.

BY 147%NEQS. v

Patented Nov. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE? JOHN w. ASI-IWORTH,on NEW YORK, N. Y, ASSIGNOR T AsHwoR'r ADVERTISING COMPANY,INCORPORATED, on NEW YORK, N. Y., 'A CORPORATION OF NEW YORKSAFETY-KAZOR-BLADE HOLDER.

Application filed May 7, 1929. S e ria1 No; 361,068.

' This invention relates to razor holders and is more particularlydirected to a novel and eflicient holder adapted to rigidly supportsafety razor blades of variousmakes Sand styles in a' position to permitof their manual stropping upon an ordinary razor strop of the charactergenerally employed for the stropping of the conventional straight razor.Various holders for safety razor blades have heretofore been suggestedbut they have almost,invariablybeen open to objections which haverendered their useunpopular. The purpose of the present invention is toprovide a holder which will v meet the popular demand for a simple andefficient construction, economical to manufacture, and, thoroughlypractical for the performance of its intended functions.

An important feature of this invention resides in the fact that itsstructure is so constituted as to render it capable of supportingpractically every form of safety razor blade now in use. These variousforms may generally be divided into three particular 5 classes: 1) theGillette style of blade whlch is a double edged flexible blade; (2) theso-called Gem or Star type which isa relatively rigid blade; having athickened rib or backing alongone edge thereof; the 'so-c'alled-Autostrop blade which dilfers from the other types in that it is asingle edge blade without a backing rib and pro vided at its oppositeends with recesses by which it is clamped in place in the safety razor.No razor blade holder of which I am aware is capable of satisfactorilysupporting all blades of these various kinds for sharpening; V

It has generally been the practice to provide difierent holders fordifferent types of blades. This is an expensive procedure from themanufacturing standpoint and users do not desire to have a number ofdifferent forms of holders for different blades which they may use. 1

- Another important feature of this invention resides in the unusualsimplicity of the structure. Its-major parts may be in the form of sheetmetal 'stampings, there being relatively little handwork in thevfabrication of the structure; i I

F eatures of the, invention other than those specified willbe apparentfrom the, following detailed description when read in'conjunction withtheaccompanying drawings, 7

and from the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate different practical forms ofjtheinvention but the structures therein shown are to .be understood as,illustrative only and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a blade holder embodying thepresent invention with a Gem type of blade supported therein.- y iFigure 2 is a fragmentary perspective showing manner of supporting theGillette type of blade.

Figure 3 shows the manner of the Autostrop type blade. I Figure 4 is asection on the line fr-45 of Figure 1-. 1

Figure 5 is a section taken onthe plane of the line 5--5 of F i re 2.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating the preferredform of the invention which is susceptible of supporting practically alltypes of safety razor blades. The f(item type of blade is. shown inplace in this gure. t v

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the manner ofsupporting the Ever- Ready blade. 7 Y

Figure8 isa section on the line 8 -8 of Figure 7, T r V I Figure 9 is aperspective for showing the supporting attachmentjto be used inconnection with the long and narrow, They are of the same width andapproximately the same length,

although the strip 2 may be slightly longer thanthe stripl to permitthem to behinged together by a hooked stud 3 rigidly supported on the'strip '1 and. passing loosely through a perforation in the strip 2 asshown. The strips are both provided along their back edges and adjacenttheir forward ends with cut-outs 4 of a depth substantially equal to thewidth of the backing rib 5 common to blades 6 of the conventionalGemtype and the length of these cut-outs is substantially the same asthe length of the blade, so that a blade can be positioned between thestrips as indicated in Figures 1 and 4, with the inner faces of thestrips in face abutting relation to the blade and with the backing rib 5;positioned in the cut-outs 4. The width of the strips is such that whenthe blade is so positioned the sharp edge of the blade will project wellbeyond the lower edges of the strips as shown in Figure 4. 7

Adjacent the opposite ends of the cut-out the strips 1 and 2 are swagedoutwardly as indicated at 7 and 8, to provide cam surfaces adapted toco-operate with the edges of a slot 9 formed in a clamping sleeve 10.This slot is of a width substantially equal to the combined thicknessesof both strips- 1 and 2 and in its normal retracted position the sleeveoccupies the position illustrated in Figure 1 wherein it is shown asstraddling the upper e'dges'of the strips rearwardly of the cams 7. Theclamping sleeve is madeof sheet metal embodying sufficient inherentresiliency to adapt it for proper co-operation with the cams and thefaces of such cams are so formed that after the blade is in placethesleeve 10 may be moved forwardly from the position shown in fulllines in'Figure 1 to the position shown in dotted lines therein. When somoved the edges 9 of the slot co-operate the cam surfaces to effect apronounced wedging action which serves to tightly clamp the stripstogether and cause them to firmly grip the interposed blade 6.

When the parts are thus assembled the device may be manipulated in amanner similar to that employed in the honing or stropping of aconventional straight razor blade. The diameter of the sleeve 10 is suchas to present the sharp edge of the blade to the hone or strop at theproper angle and the rounded back of the sleeve allows of the rocking ofthe device back and forth as is done with the ordinary razor during thesharpening thereof.

It should be here noted that the cam faces 8 flare outwardly so as todiverge in a forward direction and with this arrangement it will beapparent that any tendency on the part of the sleeve 10 to slip duringstropping will serve to clamp the strips tighter together instead oftending to loosen or decrease the clamping action.

The blade may beremoved after sharpening by retracting the sleeve intothe full line position or slipping it wholly free from the strips so asto permit the strips to be swung apart as indicated in dotted lines inFigure 1.

It will be noted that the strip 2 is shown as provided with twoperforations 12. These perforations are not required when sharpeningblades of the Gem type but are intended for use in the sharpening ofblades of the Gillette type. When employing the device with Gilletteblades, the strip 1 is removed, and in its place there is substituted astrip 14 such as shown in Figure 2. This strip is in all respects thesame as the strip 1 except that it is not provided with a cut-out 4 butis provided with two bosses 15,'spaced apart such distance as to.register with and project through the stud holes in the Gillette blade16 and to extend into the holes 12 of the strip 2 which are similarlyspaced apart. The strip 14 is provided with a hooked stud 3 at its rearend adapted to cooperate with the perforation in the corresponding endof the strip 2 and a clamping sleeve the same as the sleeve 10 isemployed to clamp the two strips 14 and 2 together to hold the blade 16in place during the stropping or honing operation.

Figure 5 is a section through the assembled structure with a Gilletteblade in position and it willbe noticed in this figure that theprojections 15 firmly hold the blade against movement in any direction.

Auto strop blades such as indicated at 17 in Figure 3 are provided attheir opposite ends with recesses 18 and when such a blade is to besharpened, a strip 19 is employed in lieu of the strips 1 or 14. Thisstrip 19 is the, same as th strip 14, except that somewhat smaller studsor projections 20 are employed in lieu of the studs or projections 15,and said projections 20 are spaced apart an appropriate distance toco-act with the recesses 18. These studs need be of a length only equalto the thickness of the blade 17 so that the blade 2 need not-beperforated or indented to receive the ends of the studs.

The structure which I have thus far described has been found to givevery excellent results in the sharpening of practically all of thewell-known types of safety razor blades. It holds the blades'firmly inposition and maintains the proper angle. It will not loosen and permitthe blades to slip and is thoroughly dependable in operations. It willbe'noted, howeventhat three alternate strips are used'in conjunctionwith the strip 2, depending upon the particular type of blade which itis desired to sharpen. This necessitates the manufacture of threedistinct alternative forms for one of the strips of the couples, andsince it is desirable to minimize cost and promote convenience. I haveshown in the remaining figures of the drawings a preferred andsimplified form of the invention wherein a strip couple of only twostrips is so constituted. as to sharpen all of the said well-known formsof blades.

Thus, referring to Figures 6 8. 21 and 22 constitute two strips havingcams 7 and 8 and cut-outs 4. A sleeve 10 is adapted to cooperate withthe cams to clamp a Gem blade 6 1nplace in the same manner ashereinbefore described in conjunctioii with Figure 1. An Auto-stropblade may be clamped in like manner associating with such blade 17 abacking clip 23 as shown in Figure 9. This backing clip'is made in theform of a leaf spring the opposite ends of which are I curved toward oneanother as shown at 24 to seat in the recesses 18 and form a backing.

for the blade. This backing isadapted to occupy the cut-outs 4 andfunction in the same manner as the backing 5 (Figure 6) of the Gemblade.

' a distance equal to the distance between the center and one end holeof a Gillette blade andsimilarly spaced openings 26 are formed inthestrip 22. To grip a Gillette blade, the blade is'positionedasindicated in Figure 7 and the strip 22 is thereupon brought into faceabutting relation to the blade to cause the studs 25 to extend into theperforations 26 and the sleeve 10 is thereupon brought into aco-opcrative relation with the cams 7 and8 to firmly clamp the blade inposition. It will be noted that the studs 25 are positioned suflicientlyforward of the cut-outs lso as to not interfere with an unperforatcd Gemblade and although the Gillette blade will slightly overlap the cutoutsas shown in Figure 7, such a blade cannot shift because it is firmlyheldin position by the studs 25. Thus, through the employment of a twostrip couple blades of Gillette, Gem, or Autostrop types may beefficiently sharpened.

The device of this invention is unusually simple in construction. Itconstitutes, in the main, die stampings and may thus be produced veryeconomically. It functions per- 7 fectly and with high efficiency in ahoning or stropping of safety razor blades and embodiesa minimum numberof relatively movableuparts, none of which areso constructed as to getout of order.

It will of course be'understoodthat if desired I may employ with thestrip 22 a strip as indicated at 19 in Figure 3, for the sharpening ofAuto-strop blades and to thereby dispense with the use of the adapter23, but I have found the adapter to give thoroughly satisfactoryresults.

The foregoing detailed description sets forth the invention in itspreferred practical forms but inasmuch as some parts may be used withoutnecessarily employing all I wish it understood that the invention is tobe considered as fully commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thusfully described invention, 7

Letters Patent'is: L

1. In a safety razor blade holder two strips pivoted to one another atone end of each strip and between theopposite end portions of whichstrips a safety razor blade is adaptwhat I claim as new and desire tosecure by ed to be clamped, with asharp edge of the blade projectingbeyond the edges. ofthe strips, longitudinally spaced apart cams formedon the outer faces of both strips adjacent the blade,"said cams slopingin the d1- .re'ction ofthe length of the strips and also transverselythereof, and a clamping member comprising a resilient sleeve havin 1nthe wall thereof a longitudinal slot of a wldth to permit the sleeve tostraddle both strips andco-act, through longitudinal shifting of thesleeve, with the cams for the purpose of forcing the strips into tightclamping relation'with respect to the interposed blade.

In a safety razor blade holder, two

strips pivoted'to one another at one end of each'strip and between theopposite end portions of'whichstrips a safety razor blade is adapted tobeclamped, with a sharp: edge of the blade projecting beyond-twoadjacent edges of the strips, longitudinally spaced apart cams formed ontheouter faces ofboth strips adjacent the blade and adjacent the othertwo edges of the strips, said cams sloping in the direction of thelength of the strips and also j diverging in the direction of the edgesofthe'strips adjacent which they are positioned, and'a clamping membercomprising aresilient sleeve having inthe wall there- 7 of alongitudinal slot of a width topermit the sleeve to straddle both stripsand co-act,

through longitudinalshifting of the sleeve, with the camsfor thepurposeof springing the sleeve and forcing the strips into tight clampingrelation with respect to the interposed blade, both strips beingprovidedadjacent the blade with recesses shaped to receive the backing strip ofa backed blade to thereby permit the strips'toeng'a-ge such a bladeinface abutting relation.

3. In a safetyrazor blade holder, two stri s pivoted to one another atone end of each strip and between theopposite end portions of whichstripsqa safety razor blade-is adapted to be clamped, with a sharp edgeof the blade projecting beyond the edges of the strips,

longitudinally spac ed apart cams formed on the outer facesof bothstrips adjacent'the blade, said cams sloping in the direction of thelength of the strips, and a clamping member comprising a resilientsleeve havingin the wall thereof a longitudinal slot of a width topermit the sleeve to straddle both strips and co-act,throughlongitudinal shifting of the sleeve, with the cams for thepurpose of forcing the. strips into tight clamping relation with respectto the interposed blade, both strips being providedadjacent the bladewith recesses shaped to receive the backing strip of a backed blade tothereby permit the strips to engage such a blade in face abuttingrelation, and projections formed on one of the strips between the recesstherein and one end of said strip and spaced apart a distance equal tothat between the perforations in a perforated type of blade.

l. In a safety razor blade holder, twoi strips pivoted to one another atone end of each strip and between the opposite end portions of whichstrips a safety razor blade is adapted to be clamped, with a sharp edgeof the blade projecting beyond the edges of the strips, longitudinallyspaced apart cams form-ed on the outer faces of both strips adj acentthe blade, said cams sloping in the direction of the length of thestrips, and a clamping member comprising a resilient sleeve havingin'the wall thereof a longitudinal slot of a width to permit the sleeveto straddle both strips and co-act, through longitudinal shifting of thesleeve, with the cams for the purpose of forcing the strips .into tightclamping relation with respect to the interposed blade, both stripsbeing provided adjacent theblade with recesses shaped to receive thebacking strip of a hacked blade to thereby permit the strips to engagesuch a blade in face abutting relation, and pro jections formed on oneof the strips between the recess therein and one end of said strip andspaced apart a distance equal to that between the perforations in aperforated type of blade, the other strip having registering depressionsinto which said projections are adapted to extend.

5. Anattachment for razor sharpening devices adapted to cooperate withan Autostrop type of razor blade, which comprises a backing strip ofresilient material, the opposite ends of which are coiled inwardlytoward one another to engage with the re cesses at the opposite ends ofthe blade.

6. In a safety razor blade holder, two strips of sheet metal, one end ofeach of which is pivoted to the corresponding end of the other,

longitudinally spaced apart cam surfaces swedged from each of the stripsadjacent the opposite ends of the strips with the swedged cam faces ofone strip juxtaposed with the corresponding faces of the other strip,said cam faces being spaced apart in each strip a distance greater thanthe length of a safety razor blade adapted to be positioned between thestrips and intermediate the cam faces, and a clamping sleeve provided inthe wall thereof with a longitudinal slot rendering the sleeve resilientand adapting the sleeve to straddle both strips and, by longitudinalmovement of the sleeve, to engage with the pain faces for the purpose oftightly clamp- 1H0 a razor blade in position between strips with a sharpedge of the blade projecting beyond the edges of the strips, certainjux- JOHN W. ASHVVORTH.

